Peekskill Rally Calls For Justice In Ferguson Shooting

Darrell Davis called for congressional hearings in the wake of Michael Brown's shooting.Photo Credit: Sam BarronTyrone Welch and Anne Wagner hold up signs calling for justice at a rally for Michael Brown.Photo Credit: Sam BarronA man calls for justice for DJ Henry, who was shot and killed by Pleasantville police, at a rally for Michael Brown.Photo Credit: Sam Barron

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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- Darrell Davis, a community activist, led more than 50 people in chanting "Hands up, don't shoot!" at a rally in Peekskill calling for justice in the shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old who was unarmed when he was shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri.

The rally was held in front of Sen. Charles Schumer's Peekskill office. Davis said he would like Schumer to call for a congressional investigation into the shooting.

"Sen. Schumer wanted hundreds of millions for this area to combat white people dying of heroin," Davis said. "He needs to stand up for blacks dying. They talk about freedom and equality, but look how they treat us."

Davis noted several incidents that occurred in Westchester, including the shooting of DJ Henry, a Pace University student, who was shot and killed by a Pleasantville police officer in Thornwood and Kenneth Chamberlain, who was shot and killed by White Plains Police.

"Black people are dying unnecessarily," Davis said. "You don't see it happening with whites."

Anne Wagner attended the rally and said what happened in Ferguson was unjust.

"This seems to be happening quite a bit," Wagner said. "What if it was your kid? Knowledge is power. We have to learn not to be ignorant."

Tyrone Welch, a Peekskill resident, said there is a history of injustice against black men.

"Just go by history," Welch said. "Police officers need to be held accountable."

Welch, who said he had several run-ins with police, said he tries to stay away from them.

Davis said he was pleased the rally was attended by diverse mix of people of different races, gender and socioeconomic backgrounds.